No one enjoys being corrected–about anything, any time, under any circumstance. In the majority of cases, the one being corrected views the act negatively. But in reality, correction is one of the most positive aspects of life. When received and accepted, correction prevents many mistakes. This is true in man’s secular life where the consequences of not being corrected are purely physical, social, economic, etc. As the Scriptures will reveal, one’s reaction to correction is much more serious in the spiritual realm where eternal life and death are at stake. Many will hear Jesus say “Depart from me” on Judgment Day simply because they refused to be corrected (Lk. 13:27).

To correct means to identify that which is incorrect–to compare the right to the wrong. In order to correct a wrong one must know the right. In any situation, group, nation, etc., right is proclaimed to be right based on an accepted standard of right which, within professing Christendom, is the Holy Bible. Using God’s Word as his standard of right, the Apostle Paul wrote to a young evangelist friend concerning the Holy Scriptures he had been taught by Paul and others. In his second letter to Timothy (3:14-16) Paul reminded him that he must continue in what he had learned which would make him “wise unto salvation” if combined with faith in Jesus Christ. Note that Timothy’s faith alone was not enough to save his soul (Jam. 2:14). Note also that knowing the Scriptures would make him wise “unto” salvation–he had to believe and obey them “until the end” in order to inherit eternal life (Mat. 13:13). The formula for salvation=faith+obedience to God’s Word+endurance.

In the 2 Timothy 3:14-16 passage Paul tells Timothy that the Holy Scriptures are to be used by him “for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness.” These same Scriptures (Old and New Testaments) are called “Truth” by Jesus Christ (Jn. 17:17). Note also that only the Scriptures are to be used for doctrine, reproof, correction and training in righteousness. In that Jesus and the Word are one in the eyes of God (Jn. 1:1-4,14; Rev. 19:13), any addition to or subtraction from God’s Word/Truth creates a perverted gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) which, by God’s definition, creates “another Christ” (2 Cor. 11:4). As this website has proven numerous times, the Institutional Church has been worshiping a false savior for some 1700 years.

From these Biblical facts it is easy to see why correction in the Word/way/will of God is extremely important. When life and death hang in the balance, no amount of effort is too much. God’s chosen ministers will go to the ends of the earth to tell one soul about the Lord’s Testimony/Truth/Word: “… this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all nations; then the end shall come” (Jesus–Mat. 24:14). Note that He designated “THIS gospel” as the only gospel that His ministers would preach throughout the world. What has been preached globally for hundreds of years is a perverted gospel which exalts Satan and his words above God and His Word. See “What Is Truth.” For this reason correction is of utmost importance. Because they have not been corrected or have rejected correction,  many are perishing, all the while convinced that they have entered God’s strait gate and are walking His narrow way that leads to eternal life. To be continued. L.J.